Sarah Markus Photography

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I book my session?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Portraits: I accept bookings six months in advance; however, feel free to contact me to see if I have your preferred date available at any time.

Maternity: I like to photograph moms-to-be between 30-36 weeks. Please contact me well in advance so we can schedule your maternity session within that window. If you are outside that window of time, please feel free to contact me to see if I have any availability.

Newborns: Please book your newborn session before your baby is born. Newborn sessions are usually booked in the 2nd trimester. If your baby is already born, please contact me because I may have an opening available. Newborns are best photographed between 7-15 days old to give us the best sleepy/curly poses.

What is the best way to contact you?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Email is definitely the best way to get in touch with me. Just click on the “contact” tab, or email me at info@sarahmarkusphotography.com. I respond to all emails within 48-72 hours. Evenings and weekends are reserved for my family, so I do not guarantee any response during those hours.Please use caution when messaging me through Facebook messenger as I do not always see these messages.

Why do outdoor family portrait sessions take place in the evening?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The golden warm look you see in a lot of my photos comes from the ideal lighting conditions that take place about hour or two before sunset. If the sun sets at 8:00pm, your session will generally take place at 6:30 to give you that beautiful glow that takes place during the “golden hour.” Some families ask if they can schedule a session at an earlier time, however, I would not recommend it. Harsh shadows tend to be present, and you will not get the beautiful golden look if you choose a different time of day. All family sessions are scheduled during evening hours to ensure you get the most beautiful family portraits possible. I promise it will be worth it to shift around your schedule for a day to get those gorgeous photos!

What are your business hours?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

My contact hours are Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm

I schedule newborns Monday-Friday at 10 am. Portrait sessions may be scheduled during the evening hours and I will work with you to select a date that works for both parties.

*sessions may be scheduled later in the evenings, but my office contact hours are 9am-5pm.

How do I prepare for my session?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Both newborn and family portrait session clients will receive a detailed prep guide to help you plan and prepare before your session. It includes details on what to wear and what to bring! I will also send you a link to fill out a brief questionnaire to help me prepare and tailor your session just for you!

Do you travel for sessions?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

If sessions are booked far enough in advance where I can plan ahead, I am happy to travel for a family portrait session. However, there is a travel fee of .75 per kilometre for distances over 50kms. Please inquire for travel pricing if needed. Mini sessions are not available for travel. Family portrait sessions take place at an outdoor location. I have a few pre-scouted locations that I love to photograph at and am happy to provide you with assistance in selecting a location for your session! If you do not know of a location, I would be happy to give you directions to one of my preferred locations.

At this time I do not travel for newborn sessions unless there is a serious medical issue that will not allow baby to leave his/her home. All newborn sessions take place in my home studio in Ingersoll, Ontario.

Do you have all the props for my newborn session?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yes! I spend lots of time searching for the the most beautiful hand-made creations for my clients to use and work with some of the top prop vendors in the industry. I provide all wraps, outfits, pants, bonnets, and backdrops that you may need. If you have something specific in mind, please let me know well in advance of your session.

How does scheduling a newborn session work?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

When you book by signing your contract and paying a retainer, I will put your baby’s due date on my calendar. Once your baby is born, I ask that you email/text/call me as soon as possible to let me know your baby is here. Then we will book your exact session date that falls between 7-15 days old. If you wait several days to contact me after your baby arrives, you may have to wait for a later session date. I can not stress how important it is to contact me as soon as possible when your baby is here to get the earliest session available.

What types of payment methods do you accept?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Can we bring grandparents, aunts/uncles /cousins to the session?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For Newborn Sessions: My studio is very small, and due to the limited space and warmth in the studio for baby’s comfort, I ask that you limit additional guests at the session.

For Family Sessions: For extended family sessions, please ask for an individual quote. The quote will reflect the number of families participating in the session.

May we take pictures at our session?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Absolutely no videos or professional DSLR’s are permitted during any session. However, I do not mind phone snapshots during your newborn session to document this special time!

Can we copy poses and photos I saw on Pinterest?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I enjoy parents input, but please keep in mind that the photos you see on my website or Facebook are a representation of my particular work style, and most of your session will tend to reflect that soft organic look. There are some poses that I do not feel are safe for your baby and those poses I will not do. Your baby’s safety is my number one priority. I will be happy to incorporate any props you bring, but ask that you limit them to one sentimental item.

How do I book?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A $100 retainer fee is required to book your date along with filling out an online contract. Your date is not booked until the retainer is paid. You will have 7 days to pay the retainer, and after 7 days your date will be released to the next client in line.

The $100 retainer is put toward your total session price, and the remaining balance is due at the time of your session. Your retainer is non-refundable; however if you need to cancel, you may use that retainer towards another session at a later time.

When and how will I get my photos?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

After your session has been paid in full, your photos will be hand edited and retouched. I take time to make sure each photo in your gallery is perfect! They will be ready for you to view in your private online gallery within 3 weeks. You will receive a notification email, and a link + password when they are ready to view.

From your gallery you will be able to download your high resolution files and print them with a print release at your convenience. Your photos are presented in a special online gallery where you can download them instantly with one click. No more waiting for a CD to be mailed to you! Clients love the simplicity of being able to download them easily from their gallery!

Do you give out CD’s?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

No- Since a lot of newer computers are now getting rid of CD drives all together, I do not offer CDs. Your online gallery is designed so you can download your images instantly to your computer. However, if you wish to purchase a USB drive from me, I can supply a USB at an additional cost.

Can I order prints or canvases through you?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Absolutely! In your gallery you will be able to purchase high end gallery wrap canvases, and archival quality prints in a variety of sizes for your home!

How much does a session cost?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I offer a variety of sessions including my Belly to Baby Package, 1st Year Bliss Package, Cake Smash sessions, as well as Child & Family portrait sessions.

I have multiple packages, and prices ranging from $250 – $800 to fit all of your portrait needs.

Please contact me for access to a full list of prices and details on what’s included.

If you have any other questions, please contact me by using the “contact” tab! Thanks so much,